Meiji Seimen Costa Mesa

Wow everything we tried was top notch and service was amazing. Sesame tofu was a pleasant surprise that had everyone wanting more. Shabu shabu udon was seasoned to perfection and it even came with ponzu for the meat! Nabeyaki udon was spot on as well. You can tell they take care to make the dashi very well. Tempura chicken curry udon broth was also not too thick and not too salty, which was very pleasant too. Of course the chicken kaarage was super well seasoned and not heavily battered. Perfection. I’d love to come back to try more. Very few places do udon so well.

Arrived about 30 minutes before opening and people were already lining up to join the waitlist. By the time the doors opened, there were around 14 parties ahead — a clear sign this place is popular for a reason. Thankfully, we were seated right away and started ordering immediately. We tried the Nabeyaki Udon, Shabu Shabu Udon, karaage, beer, and sake. They even brought out beer snacks, which was a fun and unexpected touch. Every dish was outstanding. The noodles were fresh and perfectly chewy, the broths were packed with umami and depth, and the karaage was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Service was friendly, quick, and attentive even with the rush. The food came out hot and fast, and everything tasted incredibly fresh. Everything we had was a 5 out of 5, no question. Amazing udon, great sides, and a well-run team.

I had the cold soba, and it was quite good. If you’re looking for Japanese-style udon in the area, I would recommend this place. However, it’s not somewhere you can eat comfortably at a relaxed pace. I understand that there are many people waiting, but clearing our bowls while we were still preparing to pay didn’t feel appropriate. I would recommend this restaurant only if you want to come in, eat, and leave quickly—it’s not a place for a leisurely meal.

One of the best places to get udon or soba outside of Japan. My wife ordered the shabu shabu udon and I got the katsu curry udon. We also ordered a side of the kaarage. The shabu shabu udon is a classic and one I have ordered multiple times. They also serve it with some extra tare so you can season it to your liking. The katsu curry udon came with a nice, thick pork cutlet and you can customize the spice level of the curry. Their kaarage is so tasty and crunchy and they give you a lot of chicken compared to other places. This place is always my go-to if I'm in the area and craving some Japanese noodles. If you're prone to making a mess, be sure to ask for a bib! The owner has a sense of humor with customers who get messy.

Before you arrive, get yourself on the Yelp waiting list to save some time. Food was good, udon was fresh and the broth was really tasty. Generally quite happy with the taste and the atmosphere feels a little bit like in Japan

Total Score: 8.15 Bathroom: 3.5/5 Fairly clean bathroom Customer Service: 4.5/5 Very welcoming and refilled my waters and checked up on me Ambiance: 4.5/5 Very cozy Japanese bar vibes Food: 4.75/5 The kimchi nabe udon was sooo good. The soup was sooo yum. Nice umami and spice. Udon was good texture Wow: 0/1 Normal udon restaurant Total Score = BR + CS + 2*AM + 5*FOOD + WOW

To start we ordered the fried chicken and assorted tempura. The fried chicken was our absolute favorite, the crunchiness, juiciness and flavor was great. We then ordered the Nabeyaki udon and the SP Katsu. Both were great, but the udon itself was so good. The broth and the noodles were memorable. I’m excited to come back and try more dishes! This restaurant seems really popular and gets packed so definitely add yourself to the Yelp waitlist if you can.